1 CUANDO Israel era muchacho, yo lo amé, y de Egipto llamé á mi hijo.2 Como los llamaban, así ellos se iban de su presencia; á los Baales sacrificaban, y á las esculturas ofrecían sahumerios.3 Yo con todo eso guiaba en pies al mismo Ephraim, tomándolos de sus brazos; y no conocieron que yo los cuidaba.4 Con cuerdas humanas los traje, con cuerdas de amor: y fuí para ellos como los que alzan el yugo de sobre sus mejillas, y llegué hacia él la comida.5 No tornará á tierra de Egipto, antes el mismo Assur será su rey, porque no se quisieron convertir.6 Y caerá espada sobre sus ciudades, y consumirá sus aldeas; consumirálas á causa de sus consejos.7 Entre tanto, está mi pueblo adherido á la rebelión contra mí: aunque lo llaman al Altísimo, ninguno absolutamente quiere ensalzar le.8 ¿Cómo tengo de dejarte, oh Ehpraim? ¿he de entregarte yo, Israel? ¿cómo podré yo hacerte como Adma, ni ponerte como á Zeboim? Mi corazón se revuelve dentro de mí, inflámanse todas mis conmiseraciones.9 No ejecutaré el furor de mi ira, no volveré para destruir á Ephraim: porque Dios soy, y no hombre; el Santo en medio de ti: y no entraré en la ciudad.10 En pos de Jehová caminarán: él bramará como león: cual león rugirá él de cierto, y los hijos se moverán azorados del occidente.11 Como ave se moverán velozmente de Egipto, y de la tierra de Asiria como paloma; y pondrélos en sus casas, dice Jehová.12 CERCOME Ephraim con mentira, y la casa de Israel con engaño: mas Judá aún domina con Dios, y es fiel con los santos.

1 When Israel was a child he was dear to me; and I took my son out of Egypt.2 When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to images.3 But I was guiding Ephraim's footsteps; I took them up in my arms, but they were not conscious that I was ready to make them well.4 I made them come after me with the cords of a man, with the bands of love; I was to them as one who took the yoke from off their mouths, putting meat before them.5 He will go back to the land of Egypt and the Assyrian will be his king, because they would not come back to me.6 And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.7 My people are given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.8 How may I give you up, O Ephraim? how may I be your saviour, O Israel? how may I make you like Admah? how may I do to you as I did to Zeboim? My heart is turned in me, it is soft with pity.9 I will not put into effect the heat of my wrath; I will not again send destruction on Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not put an end to you.10 They will go after the Lord; his cry will be like that of a lion; his cry will be loud, and the children will come from the west, shaking with fear;11 Shaking with fear like a bird, they will come out of Egypt, like a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will give them rest in their houses, says the Lord.